The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-28
Many Thousands Of Old Veterans Eaoampsd
in the Parks Of st. Louis.
The Plan Tried This Year Destined to Become
. Permanent Feature.
The Gathered Warriors Exchanging R,min-
Iscsnces OF War Life.
Arrivals Constantly Swelling the Number
In the City-AlI Seem to Prefer the
Tented FieId-Notes.


this encampment is the sheltering of large
numbers OF old veterans in tents, tried at
each enoampment before in small numbers.
The plan gave such satisfaction and pleas
ure that it was decided thus 10
house vast numbers, and the ex-
ecutive committee arranged to
care for greater concourse of people in
the field than has ever before been at
tempted in any land except in times of
portions has ever been built in so
short a time. Within two months
$500 tents with ample room
for 25. 600 soldiers more than
there is in the entire United States Army,
have been put together are now pitched in
ten beautiful parks of this city, all within
a radius of two miles. The headquarters
to dining halls. A bale Of straw
makes mattresses for each tent;
the bed the soldier brings
strapped on his knapsack or grips. Five
hundred of these tents are pitched in Lyon
Park, 800 in Concordia Park; in Hyde
Park 500, Washington Park $50, Carr
Place 700 st. LOUIS Park 300,
Jackson Park $50, Forest Park $50,
around the Court House and other public
places 100. In the heart of the city for
several days deserted walks, and white
coverings were more like the city of the
dead, but tonight an army of jovial aud
tried spirits crowd the way.
The doubt would the boys take
to the tents has been des-
PEELED, for on a rainy day more applics-
lions for such shelter have been made
than tents are ready for, but the neighbor-
hood hotels and boarding houses offer
relief for the surplus. In many cases the
veteran will stop in the camp and house
his family near by.
A peep within the tents this evening re-
yeals touching scenes. The warrior citizen
only knows theI feeling of such glorious
"reminiscences, Ever and anon surging
crowds upon the street pause to hear the
bugle call, and the stentorian voice call
ing out a name, company, regiment
and state som sometimes tin rca call ottsG for
there is no response, but then again an an
swer, silence as they meet and then jubi-
lee. These camps are full of pathetic
meetings after years OF separation and it
is this that draws so many thousands OF
the boys in blue together.
The great camp Is a success and will be-
come part Of the G. A. r. encampment of
the future. Frank P. Blair Post, besides
the usual reception to visitors, to-day,
marched to the residence Of the widow of
Gen. T. p. Blair at noon and presented her
with a medal recently adopted by the
post, bearing as q medallion the head of
her late husband. In return Mrs. Blair
presented to the post the fag Of the Seven
teenth Army Corps. commanded by Gen.
srsl Blair during the latter part of the
TT.
LARGER ARRIVALS THAN EXPECTED.
All the afternoon and evening the ar
rivals of veterans and their families, in
squads, groups, posts and divisions by
regular and excursion trains and by steam
boat, have been incessant. They have
marched through the muddy streets in
spite of rain to camp and lodging house.
Coming in such unorganized detach-
ments and failing to report, all attempts
20 keep a record or make an estimate of
their numbers have failed, though those
in charge are satisfied that very many
more than were counted upon have come.
Every department reports more men
either here or coming than were announced
and it Is safe to say that the grand parade
will be unprecedentedly large and impos-
ing.
This evening the visitors were entertained
by receptions at the various post head
quarters, The halls, beautifully decorated,
have been thrown open all day, and many
comrades have accepted their hospitality.
At Ransom Post a band entered on the
scene with martial music, and U. s. Grant
post Of Elizabeth, N. j., presented
Ransom post with handsome
oil painting of General Ran
som. Blair post was greeted by number
of speeches and was particularly aroused
by Corporal Tanner, who touched on the
flag Issue, the President and possible insult
to the Grand Army. Lyon, Hassendeuble
and Harding posts also kept open house to
all visitors. Owing to the inclemency OF
the weather, the committee doubt the
expediency OF a parade tomorrow,
and this evening it was agreed
that in case OF light rain OF
drizzle, the parade should take
place as on the programme, but In case II
was impossible to form or the ranks were
broken by heavy rain, the parade would
be postponed until Wednesday morning al
10 O'Clock. In event of postponement ths
annual encampment session proper will
not begin until $3.50 Wednesday afternoon.
THE LEADERS PRESENT.
Gen. Lucius Fairchild, Adjt. Gen. Gray
and others OF the staff arrived this even
ing. he was met at the depot by Gen
Grier and mounted staff and was escorted
TO his quarters at the Southern Hotel
Hon. Hannibal Hamlin came with the
commander-in-chiePs party. Mrs. Eliza
beth Darcy Kinne, national president oi
the Woman's Relief Corps, arrived from
San Francisco this afternoon.